Cannabis

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to put the education campaign on cannabis announced in the House on 19 January into effect.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 21 November 2006
	A widespread education campaign on the harms of cannabis and all illegal drugs is under way. In partnership with DfES, the Home Office has produced "Understanding Drugs," a comprehensive teacher and pupil information pack which is now available to every secondary school in England. The FRANK campaign has updated its cannabis information resources with new TV and radio ads and wide ranging information leaflets now available. In addition, the Department of Health will be issuing a toolkit for mental health practitioners on the links between cannabis and mental health.

Human Trafficking

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to prevent human trafficking in the UK.

Vernon Coaker: Work currently being undertaken to prevent human trafficking includes a number of different elements. These include the recent opening of the UK Human Trafficking Centre in Sheffield, research and intelligence gathering to improve our knowledge and understanding of the scale and nature of human trafficking in the UK; awareness raising and capacity building in source and transit countries; and measures designed to address demand for trafficked persons.
	We are working hard with source countries to tackle the problem of trafficking at its root. We have provided funds for various anti-trafficking projects and awareness raising campaigns in the Western Balkans region, West Africa (including Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Niger and Togo) and in the Greater Mekong region (parts of Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam).
	The UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking, currently being developed and due to be published early in 2007, will provide further details of the work being undertaken in this area.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the pension age is for  (a) prison officers and  (b) police officers; what changes to these arrangements are planned; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: With regard to the pension age for prison officers, the Principal Civil Service Pension scheme is in two sections. Section One, the "2002 section", is referred to as the premium scheme and has a pension accrual rate of one sixtieth. Section two, the "1972 section", is referred to as the classic scheme. Classic has a pension accrual rate of one eightieth plus a lump sum accrual rate of three eightieths.
	The current normal pension age for members of both schemes is 60. However, some prison officers who are members of the classic scheme have a normal pension age of 55.
	In line with the principles agreed with the trade unions at the Public Services Forum in 2005, a new pension scheme will be introduced for new entrants to the civil service who will have a pension age of 65.
	With regard to police officers, under the Police Pension scheme 1987, to which most officers belong, there is no fixed retirement age for the police. Officers with at least 25 years' service may retire with an immediate pension from age 50. Officers may also retire with an immediate pension, irrespective of age, after 30 years' service, when they will have accrued maximum benefits. This means that an officer who joined at age eighteen and a half-he earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officer-is entitled to retire at age forty eight and a half with a full pension. Otherwise officers become eligible to retire with an immediate pension from the age of 55, 57 or 60 depending on what their compulsory retirement age would have been for their rank and force before such ages were revised with effect from 1 October this year. Officers with less than 25 years' service who leave the police with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 60.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension scheme 1987 is one sixtieth of final salary for each year during the first twenty years and two sixtieths for each of the next 10 years, providing a target pension of two thirds of final salary, if no lump sum is taken, after 30 years.
	Members of the Police Pension scheme 2006, those who joined the police service on or after 6 April this year, have a set pension age of 55 at or after which a serving officer can leave with an immediate pension irrespective of his or her length of service. Officers who leave the police service below the age of 55 with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 65.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension scheme 2006 is one seventieth of final salary for each year providing a target pension of one half of final salary, plus a fixed lump sum of twice final salary, after 35 years.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers retired in receipt of a pension from the date of retirement  (a) under 50 years of age and  (b) between 50 and 55 years of age in each year since 1990-91; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information is a matter for the chief officer of each police force and is not available centrally.

State Opening of Parliament

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long traffic was delayed on the south side of Waterloo bridge adjacent to County Hall and St Thomas's hospital as a result of the closure of Westminster bridge consequent on security arrangements relating to the State Opening of Parliament ceremony on 15 November.

Tony McNulty: The operational arrangements for policing of the State Opening of Parliament are the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Colombia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the G24 facilitated discussions between the Colombian Government and civil society on development and human rights issues; and how often representatives from the UK Embassy in Colombia have attended these meetings.

Geoff Hoon: In 2006, the G24 formally set up six sub-groups on thematic areas where representatives from civil society, the Colombian government and the G24 could meet regularly to discuss specific issues of concern. This has provided a welcome forum for dialogue between non-governmental organisations and the government on a range of human rights, conflict and development issues. We expect the thematic groups to continue in some form in 2007. The G24 is drawn from participants at the 2003 London Meeting of International Support to Colombia who have a presence in Bogota.
	Each of the six sub-groups meets every month. Our embassy in Bogota has participated in a number of the groups' meetings, including those focusing on the rule of law and human rights and reintegration into civil life. The embassy also attends the quarterly meetings of the Follow-up Commission involving civil society, Colombian government and G24 representatives, and in regular G24 steering meetings.

Ethiopia

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she plans to take towards ensuring that those detained in Ethiopia in connection with the political disturbances in 2005 receive a fair trial following the recent statement by Judge Teshale Aberra, a former senior judge in Ethiopia, about the judicial system in that country.

Geoff Hoon: Officials from our embassy in Addis Ababa made representations to the Ministry of Justice about the ongoing trial of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leadership on 12 July 2006 and our ambassador in Addis Ababa has raised it with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, bilaterally and with EU ambassadors on several occasions, most recently on 14 October. He has also visited two representatives of civil society detained in connection with the disturbances.
	We will continue to make representations to the government of Ethiopia regarding all those, including civil society representatives, detained in connection with the political disturbances in 2005.

Ethiopia

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of the report produced by Michael Ellman, the EU observer in Ethiopia, on the trial of Coalition for Unity and Democracy opposition leaders.

Geoff Hoon: The EU observer to the Hailu Shewal and Coalition for Unity and Democracy leadership trial is employed by the EU and reports to the EU Presidency. Any reports the observer writes are submitted to the EU. The EU will take decisions on whether or not to publish any such reports. If any are published the Government will place copies in the Library of the House.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work  (a) in her Department and  (b) for non-Departmental public bodies and executive agencies for which her Department is responsible are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) revised its tender and procurement documentation in October to reflect the new public duties on disability and gender. We are also:
	providing training for all staff involved in procurement work so that they fully understand the provisions of the sex discrimination and equal pay legislation where relevant to their work;
	informing procurement candidates or tenderers where to obtain information about contractors' obligations under the legislation and the gender equality duty; and
	including in every contract a performance condition that the contractor must comply with these obligations and the gender equality duty.
	We are sharing this with our non-departmental public bodies. The executive agencies for which we are responsible, FCO Services and Wilton Park, also drew up a detailed action plan in preparation for these new duties to ensure they promote diversity equality as appropriate with private organisations contracted to work for them. The action plan can be found at annex A of the FCO's diversity equality scheme, which will be published in December 2006. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Coroners' Courts

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the outcome has been of discussions with United States authorities on the non-appearance of US military personnel at coroners' inquests.

Harriet Harman: I had a useful meeting on 20 November with David Johnson, US deputy ambassador to London, concerning attendance of American service personnel at the inquests of British soldiers killed in friendly-fire incidents in Iraq. Mr. Johnson has agreed to report the Government's concerns back and we have agreed to meet again shortly.

Electoral System

George Galloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what evidence her Department has made of the extent to which the rules on postal voting has affected the number of votes cast in local and national elections; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: My Department has not made any assessment on changing turnouts based solely on the rules governing postal voting. There may be a number of reasons, both national and local, for changing turnouts between particular elections.
	The Electoral Commission is responsible for reporting on national elections. Their report, Election 2005: Turnout, contains figures on the overall turnout at the 2001 and 2005 general elections, and the percentage of postal voters at these elections.
	Central Government do not hold figures on the number of postal voters at local and regional elections prior to 2006.

Electoral System

George Galloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the period of time candidates and electors are permitted in order to compile evidence and enter an electoral petition challenging the validity of an election; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Government believe that the 21 day time limit to enter an electoral petition is sufficient. Extending this limit could lead to prolonged uncertainty about election results.
	In addition, where there are allegations of fraud at a particular election, as a result of new rules introduced through the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the police are able to carry out investigations into such allegations for up to two years following the result of that election.

IT Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what factors were taken into account when deciding to transfer to new suppliers the IT contracts for the  (a) Local County Court,  (b) ARAMIS and  (c) Libra systems; what costs are of each transfer; and what the expected effect is of each transfer.

Vera Baird: The main factor for transferring to new suppliers was not that IT contracts for LOCCS, ARAMIS and LIBRA systems expire during 2007 and 2008. The Department has just completed a two year procurement (the DISC Programme) to award new contracts. Contracts with the new DISC suppliers were signed on 23 October 2006. Transfer costs are included within the Programme Business Case. Overall, these new contracts are forecast to deliver cost savings of more than £100 million over the next seven years on comparable IT services and will ensure more efficient, effective and joined up services to DCA clients and staff.

IT Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs who provided IT services to her Department under the  (a) Libra,  (b) Aramis and  (c) LOCCS contracts up to 26 October.

Vera Baird: The IT services are provided under  (a) the Libra contract by Fujitsu, STL and Accenture; under  (b) the Aramis contract by Liberata UK Ltd., and under  (c) the LOCCS contract by EDS. The existing IT services will continue to be provided until the transfer to the new suppliers is completed during 2008.

IT Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what the expected cost is for the transition of IT services under the  (a) Libra,  (b) Aramis and  (c) LOCCS contracts to other suppliers;
	(2)  what the expected completion date is for the transition of IT services under the  (a) Libra,  (b) ARAMIS and  (c) LOCCS contracts.

Vera Baird: Project plans are currently being developed so I am unable to provide you with this information.

IT Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how she plans to choose the new provider of IT services under the  (a) Libra,  (b) ARAMIS and  (c) LOCCS contracts.

Vera Baird: The new providers have already been selected through the DISC Programme, which was a major procurement exercise run by the Department. Contracts were signed on 23 October 2006. Atos Origin have been appointed as the Infrastructure Services supplier. LogicaCMG have been appointed as the Application Services supplier.

Legal Aid

David Burrowes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many representations have been received by her Department following the implementation of the means test for criminal legal aid; and how many have expressed support for the new arrangements.

Vera Baird: Since 2 October my Department has received approximately 10 letters from MPs on behalf of solicitors and a further 29 representations direct from solicitors. There is support for means testing in principle. Many correspondents have raised practical concerns about the operation of the new means test and I have announced a range of changes which are intended to meet these concerns.

Regional Government

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what her assessment is of the effect of regional government on democracy in the UK.

Vera Baird: In establishing the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly we have met the aspirations and desires of people in Scotland and Wales to be governed and to govern themselves. This is evident in the successful working of the devolution settlement which has since 1998, increasingly strengthened the UK democracy. Furthermore, the Northern Ireland (St. Andrews Agreement) Bill will pave the way for the restoration of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland on 26 March 2007.
	The creation of the London Assembly and Greater London Authority in 2000 has enabled more effective local decision-making. However, there is not at present, a strong desire from people in England for further devolution of powers at a regional level.

Employment Rates

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what employment rates were in the UK in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 22 November 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about employment rates in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest year for which figures are available. (102261)
	The attached table gives the annual employment rates by gender for the twelve months ending in December 1997 and nine months ending September 2006.
	Estimates are taken from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Employment rates( 1)  for people of working age( 2)  by gender, 1997 and 2006—United Kingdom, seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			  Twelve months ending December each year  All persons  Men  Women 
			 1997 72.8 77.8 67.4 
			 2006(3) 74.6 78.8 70.0 
			 (1) People in employment as a percentage of all persons in the relevant age group. (2) Men aged 16 to 64 and women age 16 to 59. (3) Nine months ending September 2006.  Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Untaxed/Uninsured Vehicles

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's estimate is of the number of  (a) untaxed and  (b) uninsured vehicles; and what steps are being taken to reduce their number.

Stephen Ladyman: On  (a) and  (b) I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on 21 November,  Official Report, column 36W.
	The steps which we are taking to reduce levels are as follows:
	 Vehicle excise duty (VED)
	We are making it as easy as possible to comply. Electronic vehicle licensing allows vehicle keepers to tax their vehicle electronically when it is convenient for them and checks the insurance and MOT databases automatically on their behalf.
	We are also continuing to enforce from the record. Continuous registration requires vehicles to be either taxed or subject of a statutory off-road notice at any time. As a result, it is no longer necessary to 'catch' an untaxed vehicle being used on the road in order to prosecute the keeper for VED evasion.
	We are using improved methods of detection (such as automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) equipment), data and intelligence to target non-compliant vehicles on the road. In 2005-06 DVLA and its local authority partners clamped over 79,000 vehicles, more than half of which were crushed. A new contract was let in May 2006 which will allow this national scheme to be expanded. We expect DVLA and its partners to clamp around 150,000 untaxed vehicles this year.
	 Uninsured driving
	In order to strengthen enforcement activity to tackle insurance evasion we introduced two new measures last year. Firstly, to give the police improved access to the Motor Insurers Database to enhance their capability to detect uninsured driving by using ANPR equipment. Secondly powers to allow the police to seize vehicles being driven uninsured. Both these measures are proving effective with the police seizing nearly 600 uninsured vehicles each week.
	In addition, the Road Safety Act 2006 which recently received Royal Assent, has powers for a new scheme of continuous insurance enforcement. This scheme will mean that rather than having to rely on detecting uninsured vehicles on the road we can now identify, from the database, vehicles where insurance polices have lapsed and not been renewed.
	This will enable us to target all insurance evaders, rather than just the necessarily smaller numbers that it is possible to identify on-road.

Aggregates Tax

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been collected since the inception of the aggregates tax; what the estimated take is for the next five years; and what monies he has re-invested in the aggregates industry to mitigate the impact of the tax.

John Healey: Aggregates levy receipts since introduction
	
		
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2002-03 247 
			 2003-04 339 
			 2004-05 334 
			 2005-06 326 
		
	
	The forecast of receipts for 2006-07, published at Budget 2006, is £0.3 billion.
	A forecast for 2007-08 will be published at the pre-Budget report 2006 and we will continue to publish forecasts at future pre-Budget reports and Budgets.
	The aggregates industry benefit from the 0.1 percentage point reduction in employer national insurance contributions, introduced simultaneously with the levy, and the aggregates levy sustainability fund, which has helped aggregates businesses with environmental projects and investment in processing and recycling plant.

Alcohol-related Deaths

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many alcohol-related deaths there have been in Shropshire in each year since 1991.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 22 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many alcohol-related deaths there have been in Shropshire in each year since 1991. I am replying in her absence. (101320)
	The table below provides the number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause in Shropshire county from 1991 to 2005 (the latest year available).
	So that comparison over time is for a consistent area, deaths in the current Telford and Wrekin unitary authority, which was part of the former County of Shropshire, have not been included for any year.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause of death,( 1 ) Shropshire county,( 2)  1991 to 2005( 3) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			 1991 11 
			 1992 19 
			 1993 14 
			 1994 13 
			 1995 13 
			 1996 15 
			 1997 7 
			 1998 18 
			 1999 30 
			 2000 17 
			 2001 20 
			 2002 39 
			 2003 42 
			 2004 46 
			 2005 29 
			 (1 )Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1998 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2001 onwards. The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, are shown in the boxes below. The introduction of ICD-10 in 2001 means that the numbers of deaths from this cause before 2001 are not completely comparable with later years. (2) Based on the boundaries of Shropshire county as of 2005. Deaths in Telford and Wrekin unitary authority are not included for any year. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Box 1. Alcohol-related causes of death—International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-9 code(s) 
			 Alcoholic psychoses 291 
			 Alcohol dependence syndrome 303 
			 Non-dependent abuse of alcohol 305 
			 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy 425.5 
			 Alcoholic fatty liver 571 
			 Acute alcoholic hepatitis 571.1 
			 Alcoholic cirrhosis of liver 571.2 
			 Alcoholic liver damage, unspecified 571.3 
			 Chronic hepatitis 571.4 
			 Cirrhosis of liver without mention of alcohol 571.5 
			 Other chronic nonalcoholic liver disease 571.8 
			 Unspecified chronic liver disease without mention of alcohol 571.9 
			 Accidental poisoning by alcohol E860 
		
	
	
		
			  Box 2. Alcohol-related causes of death—International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol F10 
			 Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol G31.2 
			 Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 
			 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy I42.6 
			 Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 
			 Alcoholic liver disease K70 
			 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K73 
			 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver (excl. Biliary cirrhosis) K74 (excl. K74.3-K74.5) 
			 Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 
			 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X45 
			 Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65 
			 Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent Y15

Contraband

Robert Key: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average street prices of  (a) each illegal drug,  (b) firearms,  (c) prohibited alcohol,  (d) smuggled alcohol,  (e) smuggled cigarettes and  (f) other smuggled tobacco products in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) The estimated UK average street prices for drugs over the last five years have been:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Cannabis, herbal (per ounce)  Cannabis, resin (per ounce)  Cocaine (per gram)  Crack (per 0.2 gram rock)  Heroin (per gram)  Ecstasy (per dose) 
			 2001 80 77 60 21 63 7 
			 2002 83 81 56 20 61 6 
			 2003 72 66 55 19 62 5 
			 2004 72 61 51 18 55 4 
			 2005 75 55 49 19 54 4 
		
	
	 (b) The value of firearms varies widely and will increase if supplied with ammunition. Factors affecting price include relationship between buyer and seller, model, previous association with crime and reliability. We have the following range for 2005:
	handguns £150 for a 'dirty' weapon and £1,500 brand new,
	shotguns priced between £150 and £200, and
	sub-machine guns (such as MAC 10s) between £500 and £4.000.
	We do not have street prices for firearms for the last five years.
	 (c) Price of counterfeit alcohol products varies. Good quality counterfeit products such as spirits can be sold in cash and carry or retail outlets at the same price as the legitimate products.
	 (d) Duty free alcohol products diverted on to the home market can be sold in cash and carry warehouses and smaller shops. They are generally sold at the same, or slightly less than the price of legally sourced products.
	 (e) Street prices for smuggled cigarettes have remained steady at around £25 pounds for 200 over the last five years.
	 (f) Street prices for smuggled hand rolling tobacco over the last five years has varied from just under £4 to £4.50 for 50 grams.

EU Membership

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in the UK dependent upon the UK's membership of the European Union.

John Healey: The Government estimate that around three million jobs in the UK may be linked, directly and indirectly, to the export of goods and services to the European Union.

Mortality Rates

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) diagnosis and  (b) mortality rate was for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in each ward in Worsley constituency in each of the last 15 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 22 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the (a) diagnosis and (b) mortality rate was for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in each ward in Worsley constituency in each of the last 15 years. I am replying in her absence. (101185)
	Figures on the incidence of chronic lung disease and, coronary heart disease are not readily available. The numbers of deaths and cancer registrations per year in each ward in Worsley parliamentary constituency are too small for the reliable calculation of rates. Mortality and incidence rates for parliamentary constituencies which do not share boundaries exactly with a local authority can be calculated only from 2001 onwards.
	The tables below provide (a) the age-standardised cancer incidence rate, and (b) the age-standardised mortality rates for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in Worsley parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2004 (the latest available).
	The ward population estimates on which these rates are based are experimental statistics - that is, statistics which are in a testing or consultation phase and are not fully developed - and the figures should therefore be treated with caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Age-standardised cancer incidence rates( 1,2) , Worsley parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 3, 4) 
			   Cases per 100,000 
			 2001 370 
			 2002 349 
			 2003 391 
			 2004 416 
			 (1 )Age-standardised cancer registration rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes COO-C97 excluding code C44: non-melanoma skin cancer. (3) Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for cancer registrations for all years shown. (4) The ward population estimates used to calculate the ward incidence rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Age-standardised mortality rates for chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease and cancer( 1, 2) , Worsley parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 3, 4) 
			  Deaths per 100,000 
			   Chronic lung disease  Coronary heart disease  Cancer 
			 2001 37 154 211 
			 2002 42 142 216 
			 2003 47 138 194 
			 2004 34 126 181 
			 (1 )Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes J40-J47 for chronic lung disease, 120-125 for coronary heart disease, and COO-C97 for cancer. (3) Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for deaths for all years shown. (4) The ward population estimates used to calculate the ward mortality rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year.

Neonatal Deaths

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many neonatal deaths occurred in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated 22 November2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your question asking how many neonatal deaths occurred in each of the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (101825)
	The number of neonatal deaths in England and Wales for the last five years are given in the table below.
	
		
			  Number of neonatal deaths in England and Wales, 2001 to 2005 
			   Number 
			 2001 2,137 
			 2002 2,126 
			 2003 2,264 
			 2004 2,209 
			 2005(1) 2,220 
			 (1) Provisional. 
		
	
	The above figures are routinely published by ONS in Health Statistics Quarterly (HSQ) as part of the report on infant and perinatal mortality by health areas in England and Wales. Neonatal deaths in England and Wales from 1976 to 2005 (the most recent year available) are published in table 1 on page 76 of the journal. This can be accessed using the following link:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/HSQ31.pdf

Tax Credits

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of how many people in Northern Ireland who are eligible for working tax credit are not receiving it.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the number of working families with children eligible for, but not receiving tax credits broken down by country and Government office region is available in table 9 of the 2003-04 tax credit take-up rates publication at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-take-up.htm.
	A similar breakdown for those without children is not available.

Tax Credits

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many single people are receiving Working Tax Credit in Northern Ireland.

Dawn Primarolo: Provisional estimates for the number of single people with Working Tax Credit awards in Northern Ireland, as at April 2006, are published in "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. April 2006". This is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterlv-stats.htm

Public Prosecution Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Solicitor-General whether he plans for regional offices of the Public Prosecution Service to be established in Belfast and Newry; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The PPS has been planning to operate on a regional basis with Regional Offices in six major cities and principal towns.
	Ballymena, Belfast, Lisburn, Londonderry, Newry and Omagh have been identified as the most appropriate sites for the new regional offices. The Belfast regional office, which is based in the PPS Belfast Headquarters, and the Lisburn office are already open and operating. The Ballymena building is due for completion later this month and will be operational by mid December. The Omagh building is due for completion by July 2007.
	The PPS has to date been unable to secure suitable sites in either Londonderry or Newry through the public procurement exercise and as a result have been working closely with the Northern Ireland Valuation and Lands Agency to identify and negotiate arrangement for sites in both of these cities.
	Negotiations in regard to Londonderry are now well advanced with a view to agreement to secure a new build site with developers in the new year. Work is still ongoing to find a suitable site in Newry.

Afghanistan

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's staff are working in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: DFID currently has 16 UK-based officials in Afghanistan. 15 are in Kabul and one in Helmand.
	Three additional posts in Kabul (in conflict, economics and an additional secondee to the British Embassy Drugs Team) are vacant. A new post will begin in January which will take responsibility for coordinating activities in Helmand. This makes a total planned complement of 20 staff in Afghanistan. The DFID Afghanistan team also has UK officials in London, and Afghan staff in Kabul, and staff from Kabul travel regularly to other provinces (notably Helmand) to support the team there.
	The Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit (PCRU), for which DFID has accounting responsibility, has one official based in Kabul as part of the Strategic Delivery Unit, and has deployed four UK officials to Helmand at various times in advance of the arrival of other Departments' staff. A PCRU funded staff member, who from January will be funded by DFID, manages the funds available for Quick Impact Projects in Helmand.

Aid Monitoring

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the 10 year plans his Department intends to sign with partner countries referred to in the Making Governance Work for the Poor White Paper will contain  (a) provisions to divert aid from projects which fail to achieve the plan's aims and  (b) performance benchmarks against which partner countries will be judged.

Hilary Benn: DFID will establish strategic 10 year Development Partnership Arrangements with countries that show a commitment to good governance reducing and poverty. These long term arrangements are based on the UK's conditionality policy which sets out the circumstances under which DFID will interrupt or suspend aid. We will consider interrupting aid if there is a breach of the partnership commitments that form the basis of our relationship with national governments; i.e. if:
	(i) countries veer significantly away from their agreed poverty reduction objectives or from the agreed objectives of a particular aid commitment
	(ii) countries are in significant violation of human rights or other international obligations; or
	(iii) there is a significant breakdown in the performance of partner government financial management and accountability systems leading to the risk of funds being misused through weak administration or corruption.
	10 year arrangements will set out long term and predictable support that will be delivered in ways that ensure that DFID funds are used to reduce poverty. Such arrangements will contain benchmarks to assess the partner Government's performance. A failure to meet benchmarks would not lead automatically to interruption of aid flows. Initially it would trigger discussion with the partner government about progress with reforms and how constraints to implementation might be resolved. However, a persistent failure to achieve results would lead us to review the government's commitment to poverty reduction. The strategic partnership arrangements are supported by individual funding instruments for each development intervention. Individual funding instruments contain a provision to modify or terminate our support in poorly performing programmes.

Aid Monitoring

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of projects funded by his Department at a cost of more than £1 million contain quantative performance criteria against which their success or failure can be measured.

Hilary Benn: All projects funded by DFID at a cost of more than £1 million contain objective verifiable indicators against which performance can be assessed. In the majority of projects, those indicators are contained in the project's logical framework. This is the tool that DFID uses to set project objectives and identify performance indicators. In some cases, however, an equivalent performance framework is used, such as that of another donor. Progress towards the project's indicators is reviewed on an annual basis.

Aid Monitoring

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria his Department uses in deciding how much funding to allocate to each multilateral aid organisation in addition to any obligatory contributions.

Hilary Benn: We assess the effectiveness of multilateral in contributing towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, which is the overall basis for our aid allocation decisions.
	In 2004, DFID assessed the internal systems of our 23 key. multilateral partners using a Multilateral Effectiveness Framework (MEFF). This has helped us better understand how well they are organised to deliver their business.
	DFID is using the results of the MEFF in conjunction with other assessments to inform the Comprehensive Spending Review process. These include surveys carried out by the Multilateral Organisations Performance Assessment Network, a group of nine donors assessing effectiveness at the country level, as well as the performance reporting of the multilateral themselves.
	Criteria include their performance at a country or global level, the quality of their partnerships, how they are building for the future, and how they manage their resources. We also look at their performance within particular contexts (for example fragile states) and sectors (for example health). Their coverage and other criteria are also considered.
	Taken together these will inform financing decisions we believe will have the greatest impact on the lives of the world's poor people.

Iraq

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of internally displaced people in Iraq; and what assessment he has made of recent trends in the number.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Iraq, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners estimate there are now more than 1.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Iraq. Up to 1.1 million of these people are believed to have left their homes under the previous regime. The UNHCR report that there are 424,000 newly displaced who have left their homes and communities since the bombing of the Samarra shrine in February 2006. Reasons for this recent displacement are mainly due to the rise in sectarian violence around Iraq.
	The majority of internally displaced persons in Iraq are either living with relatives, friends or extended family, or renting accommodation in other neighbourhoods. However, thousands of displaced without family links or money, are living in public buildings and schools, improvised shelters and government camps run by the International Federation of the Red Crescent.
	UN agencies are delivering food and emergency assistance in central and southern Iraq together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organisation of Migration (IOM). Since February, the ICRC has distributed food and emergency relief to 150,000 people. EC member states have recently agreed to give €10 million to the UN for the provision of additional shelter and other basic needs for IDPs.
	The UNHCR also estimate that there are up to 1.6 million Iraqis living outside their country, most of them in Jordan (500,000) and Syria (450,000). Some have been outside for a decade or more, but many have moved since 2003. The UN Assistance Mission Iraq is currently conducting an assessment of these people's needs.
	Since 2003, DFID has contributed over £100 million to humanitarian agencies working in Iraq, including £85 million for the UN Humanitarian Appeal and £32 million to the ICRC for emergency humanitarian assistance. This includes £4 million for their 2006 Appeal. In 2004, DFID also provided £70 million to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI). IRFFI has already spent over $18 million on supporting the return and reintegration of IDPs in Iraq. We are in close touch with UN humanitarian agencies so that we are able to respond quickly where unmet needs are identified.

Pakistan

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid is being  (a) offered and  (b) provided to Pakistan.

Gareth Thomas: For the three year period 2005-06 to 2007-08 a Country Assistance Framework of £236 million has been agreed with the Government of Pakistan. An additional £58 million was committed for emergency relief following the earthquake of October 2005 and £70 million has been committed for earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation over the three-year period 2006-07 to 2008-09.
	Of the Country Assistance Framework funds, around £140 million will be disbursed by the end of 2006-07. £54 million has been spent on earthquake emergency relief and to date £5 million has been spent on earthquake reconstruction. We anticipate disbursing another £20 million of the reconstruction money by the end of this financial year.
	On Sunday 19 November, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that the UK's aid to Pakistan will double to £480 million over the spending period 2008-11. The planning process on how to spend the additional resources to achieve the best possible results for poverty reduction in Pakistan has begun. Decisions will be made in consultation with the Government of Pakistan, Pakistani diaspora, other donors and Whitehall.

Higher Education

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school leavers in  (a) Wansbeck constituency,  (b) Northumberland and  (c) England entered higher education in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is shown in the table. Figures for 2005-06 will be available in January 2007.
	
		
			  Students aged 18 entering higher education undergraduate courses at UK higher education institutions 
			 Of which: 
			   Total England  Total with known postcodes  from Northumberland local authority area  from Wansbeck constituency 
			 1997-98 117,640 108,230 930 210 
			 1998-99 118,515 114,600 1,020 230 
			 1999-2000 116,580 114,930 880 190 
			 2000-01 115,850 114,630 920 190 
			 2001-02 121,815 120,510 870 200 
			 2002-03 125,285 122,880 885 210 
			 2003-04 127,290 126,640 900 220 
			 2004-05 129,615 129,065 870 205 
			  Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and are on a DfES snapshot basis. 2. Students from Northumberland local authority area or Wansbeck are identified by reference to their home postcode. 3. These students may have entered higher education from school sixth forms, or from FE sector institutions, including Sixth Form Colleges.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Special Needs

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were diagnosed with dyslexia by a special educational needs co-ordinator in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: Identification of a child's special educational needs (SEN) is a whole school issue and does not rely on a single person to identify needs. Guidance for the head teacher, SENCO and class teacher in addition to the governing body is set out in the SEN code of practice.
	Information on the number of children with dyslexia alone is not collected centrally. Children with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) have a particular difficulty in learning to read, write, spell or manipulate numbers and this includes pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. Since 2004, data have been collected on children with SEN by type of need at School Action Plus and with a statement of SEN and figures are set out in the following table. In addition to the figures in the table, there will also be children at School Action with SpLD whose needs are met within school using the flexibilities set out in the National Curriculum Inclusion Statement. Data on these children is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary and all special schools( 1) : number and percentage of pupils whose primary need is specific learning difficulty( 2,3)  2004-06, position in January each year, England 
			   Number( 4)  Percentage( 5) 
			 2004 83,780 14.2 
			 2005 82,650 13.8 
			 2006 77,420 12.6 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. Includes maintained and non maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (2) Information on primary need only is provided for pupils at School Action Plus and those with a statement of SEN (3) Excludes dually registered pupils. (4) Totals shown here may not appear to match those published as raw figures have been added together before rounding. (5) Number of pupils whose primary need is specific learning difficulty expressed as a percentage of all pupils at School Action Plus and those with a statement of SEN.  Note:  Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10  Source:  Schools Census

Special Needs

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hours' training in special education needs teachers receive before they become nationally qualified teachers.

Parmjit Dhanda: It is not possible to quantify the number of hours that any one trainee might spend focusing upon special education needs (SEN), nor indeed any other aspect of their initial teacher training (ITT).
	All accredited providers of ITT have to design their programmes leading to the award of qualified teacher status to meet the standards and the requirements for ITT as set out currently by the Secretary of State. Specific standards relating to SEN state that trainees will:
	understand their responsibilities under the SEN code of practice, and know how to seek advice from specialists on less common types of special educational needs;
	identify and support more able pupils, those who are working below age-related expectations, those who are failing to achieve their potential in learning, and those who experience behavioural, emotional and social difficulties—with guidance from an experienced teacher where appropriate;
	and
	differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of pupils, including the more able and those with special educational needs—again with guidance from an experienced teacher where appropriate.
	Most ITT programmes include substantial time spent training in schools, where trainees will become aware and learn about SEN issues along with other aspects of teaching. Providers must ensure that training takes account of individual trainees' needs, meaning that training will be personalised, and not be based on a 'one-size fits all' model.
	Over the period 2006-08, the Training and Development Agency for Schools is carrying out a £1.1 million programme of DFES-funded activity to enhance SEN and disability coverage in ITT courses and induction, and to improve professional development opportunities for those teachers already in post.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria a civil servant in her Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

David Lammy: DCMS awards two types of bonus on top of regular salary:  (a) performance bonuses, for which there are different systems for members of the Senior Civil Service and for all other staff; and  (b) special bonuses.
	 (a) Performance bonuses
	For members of the senior civil service, bonuses reward in-year performance in relation to agreed objectives, or short term personal contribution to wider organisational objectives, with decisions on the award of a bonuses and their size differentiated in order to recognise the most significant deliverers of in-year performance.
	For all other staff performance related bonuses have, until 2005-06, been paid to people assessed as being in the first of four performance categories, who were considered
	"highly successful in achieving objectives and consistently demonstrating competences above expectations".
	DCMS has recently changed its performance related pay system so that, from 2006-07 onwards, bonuses will be awarded to staff based on the
	"relative strength of the evidence presented of performance in meeting or exceeding job-specific, personal development and leading learning objectives, and demonstration of core competences".
	 (b) Special bonuses
	Special bonuses are used to give tangible recognition and reward to staff who have made an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding task or situation.
	Overall, in 2005-06, 24 per cent. of DCMS staff were awarded a performance bonus and 23 per cent. were awarded a special bonus.

Digital Television

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the number of households which will be eligible for targeted assistance in the switch to digital; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: We estimate that around 7 million UK households will qualify for assistance from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme between 2008 and 2012. This represents around 25 per cent. of all UK households by 2012.

Digital Television

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the average cost of upgrading a home to receive digital television as part of the targeted assistance programme; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: DCMS have made estimates of budget for the digital switchover help scheme. We will publish appropriate details in the context of the licence fee settlement. This is unlikely to include detailed information on per household costs (to avoid prejudicing negotiations to secure the contractor to deliver the scheme).

Licensing Act

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many premises in each London borough have been granted 24-hour licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

Shaun Woodward: The Licensing Act 2003 devolved the administration of the licensing regime to individual licensing authorities. Information on total number of 24-hour licenses is not held centrally.

Local Theatres (Huddersfield)

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with local theatre organisations within the parliamentary constituency of Huddersfield in the last 12 months.

David Lammy: Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have had any such discussions.

Olympics 2012

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had on steps to ensure that timber used in the construction of Olympic facilities is legal and sustainable.

Richard Caborn: The Government are committed to ensuring that we deliver not only the most successful Olympic games and Paralympic games, but also that they are environmentally, economically and socially responsible. We are working closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the body responsible for constructing the games facilities, as well as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic games and Paralympic games (London 2012 Organising Committee) to realise this aim.
	In the candidate file, which set out the commitments for the games, we promised to make sustainable development integral to every aspect of our vision for the games. To deliver this, sustainable development criteria will be taken into account in planning, tendering and procurement decisions by both the ODA and the London 2012 Organising Committee. The ODA committed to identifying, sourcing and using environmentally and socially responsible materials in its draft Sustainability and Progress Report published in July 2006, and is developing a materials policy to outline how it intends to deliver this objective. The London 2012 Organising Committee will manage its procurement policy separately from the ODA, but will also adopt fair and sustainable procurement principles. Their procurement policy and associated strategy is currently being developed.

Olympics 2012

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines have been issued to ensure that the Olympic Delivery Authority considers whole life cost of facilities when deciding upon final construction designs and specifications.

Richard Caborn: The Olympic Delivery Authority Management Statement and Financial Memorandum instructs the ODA to comply with a number of Government documents including "The Green Book—Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government" published by H.M. Treasury and Government Accounting published by TSO which makes clear the requirement to demonstrate that value for money (VfM) has been achieved. VfM is defined therein as "the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality to meet the user's requirement".
	Specific guidance on whole life costing is detailed in "Achieving Excellence in Construction, Procurement Guide 07, Whole-Life Costing and Cost Management" published by the Office of Government Commerce.
	Before projects are approved they are reviewed against a range of established projects and investment criteria including whole life costs.

Sport England

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions Sport England has invoked clawback procedures for funding it has provided to projects in the East Midlands region in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: Sport England has not invoked claw back procedures for funding it has provided to projects in the East Midlands region during the last five years.

Far East Prisoners of War

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether claims from Far East prisoners of war submitted after 7 July 2005 but before the announcement of the 20 year residence criteria will be reassessed.

Derek Twigg: The position with claims under the ex-gratia payment scheme for former far east prisoners of war and civilian internees submitted after the High Court judgment on 7 July 2005 was set out in my written statement of 17 October,  Official Report, columns 46-47WS.

Future Rapid Effects Programme

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Treasury about spending on the Future Rapid Effects System programme.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has regular discussions with HM Treasury on a wide range of issues including the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme.

MAMBA and COBRA

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) MAMBA and  (b) COBRA sets are deployed in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Des Browne) gave on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 811-2W, to the hon. Member for Congleton (Ann Winterton).

Troop Transportation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the involvement of the private sector in the movement and deployment of British troops.

Adam Ingram: The private sector is already involved in moving British Forces worldwide through a number of long-term commercial airlift contracts. In addition, ad hoc contracts are placed, where necessary, to supplement the RAF Air Transport Force for the movement of troops on exercises and operations. Currently, troops deploying to and from Iraq are moved by commercial aircraft, supplied by a variety of airlines, to Qatar in the Middle East, from where they are subsequently transferred to their final destination by RAF aircraft.

Troop Transportation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under whose command  (a) the Royal Air Force Movement Staff and  (b) operations for deployment of troops are.

Adam Ingram: All RAF Movements staff, whether in the UK or deployed abroad, remain under the Full Command of the Commander in Chief Strike Command. For RAF Movements staff in operational theatres, Operational Command is delegated to the Chief of Joint Operations.
	Command of operations for the deployment of troops rests with the respective Front Line Commands.

Assisted Area Status Map

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account was taken of  (a) employment rates,  (b) the number of incapacity benefit claimants,  (c) Level Two skill rates and  (d) numbers employed in manufacturing in the determination of the draft assisted area status map; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: A description of the use of the four indicators in determining the assisted areas map can be found in Annex F of the document "Review of the Assisted Areas—The Government's Response to Stage 2 of the Public Consultation", available in the House of Commons Library and on the DTI website at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/regional/assisted-areas/assisted-areas-review/page24618.html
	The detailed data for all Great Britain wards is also available on the DTI website in the document "Assisted Areas Review—Ward Level Data", at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file32641.xls

Counterfeit Articles

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many counterfeit articles have been seized in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A number of Government and industry bodies are involved in seizing counterfeit and indeed pirated goods on a regular basis. However overall figures for the total numbers seized are not available.
	The Government recognises the importance of tackling Intellectual Property crime, and launched the National Intellectual Property Crime Strategy in 2004. The Government's Annual Enforcement Report sets out the action taken by a range of bodies, such as trading standards, police, customs and industry to tackle Intellectual Property crime.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish his Department's gender equality scheme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930), laid on 10 November 2006, the DTI expects to publish its Gender Equality Scheme by 30 April 2007.

Holidays

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in ensuring that all workers receive four weeks holiday and rights to all statutory holidays.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In line with its manifesto commitment to make paid time off for bank holidays additional to the annual holiday entitlement, the Government recently held an initial consultation on proposals to increase the statutory holiday entitlement. We are currently considering the large number of responses received before bringing forward draft regulations for further consultation early in the new year.

Internet Governance

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who represented him at the Internet Governance Forum in Athens.

Margaret Hodge: The nature of the IGF is to serve as a multi-stakeholder discussion forum to share best practice and improve understanding of the public policy issues associated with the international nature of the Internet and to consider how these can be addressed. Governments do not have a pre-eminent role in this forum.
	Two officials from the Europe and International Unit of Business Relations Directorate of DTI took part in the IGF. One also took part in a panel discussion on Participation and the other was also a member of the panel discussion on spam.

Post Office Card Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to reduce the costs of post office card account transactions.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The costs of Post Office card account transactions are a matter for the Department of Work and Pensions.

Post Offices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will commission research into the types of services that can be delivered through the Post Office network by  (a) central Government,  (b) local government,  (c) private businesses and  (d) the voluntary sector.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Post Office network already provides a variety of services for central and local government, as well as the private and voluntary sectors and Post Office Ltd. continues to pursue new business opportunities.
	The Government continues to work with the company and other Departments on a strategy for the future of the post office network as a matter of priority. We intend, before the end of the year, to launch a national public consultation on the shape and direction of the proposed forward strategy in response to which views will be invited from a wide range of bodies including local government organisations, private businesses and the voluntary sector.

Post Offices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to consult postmasters in developing the rationalisation of post offices.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Department of Trade and Industry Ministers have regular contact with representatives of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters. Sub-postmasters will have the opportunity in due course to respond collectively and individually to the planned public consultation on the Government's proposed forward strategy for the Post Office network.

Post Offices

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to use the Post Office network to help deliver services.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Post Office Ltd. currently delivers a number of services for local authorities such as payments of council tax, council housing rent and business rates. Post Office Ltd. are looking to discuss with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association what further local services might be delivered through the network.

Post Offices

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office branches were closed in County Durham between  (a) 1997 and 2006,  (b) 2001 and 2006 and  (c) 2004 and 2006.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Post Office Limited (POL) have provided the following figures relating to the numbers of post office branches in the constituencies that make up County Durham.
	
		
			   Number of open post office branches 
			 2001-02 214 
			 2002-03 212 
			 2003-04 202 
			 2004-05 186 
			 2005-06 186

Retirement Age

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he examined from other countries when developing his Department's policy on a compulsory retirement age; and if he will list the countries concerned.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 30 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 93-94W. During the development of the policy on retirement age, we looked at how other member states were developing their legislation, as well as the position in countries that had already established age discrimination provisions. These included Australia, United States, Finland, Italy, Austria, Canada, France, Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Ireland. However, we have developed legislation that takes into account our own particular domestic and economic circumstances.

Departmental Press/Public Relations

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the Northern Ireland Department of Education in  (a) press,  (b) public relations and  (c) communications work in (i) 2003-04, (ii) 2004-05 and (iii) 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The following number of full-time equivalent staff were employed in press, public relations and communications work in the Northern Ireland Department of Education:
	
		
			   Date  Number 
			  (a) At 31 March 2004 (1)10.3 
			  (b) At 31 March 2005 (2)9.3 
			  (c) At 31 March 2006 (3)7.7 
			 (1) With an additional 0.5 vacant post. (2) With an additional 2 vacant posts. (3) With an additional 2 vacant posts.

Education Funding

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  whether the element of the children and young people funding package intended for counselling, speech and language therapy and educational psychology will be distributed through payments to school heads in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much of the children and young people funding package for  (a) the academic year 2006-07 and  (b) future academic years he has allocated to (i) counselling, (ii) speech and language therapy and (iii) educational psychology.

Maria Eagle: Funding from the Children and Young People Funding Package (CYPFP) for these purposes is not distributed directly to schools, and is allocated on a financial year basis, rather than in academic years.
	The CYPFP is providing for a counselling service to be delivered to schools. The allocations are £1.65 million in financial year 2006-07 and £1.8 million in 2007-08. The contract for delivering an independent counselling service was recently awarded to Contact Youth, a NI voluntary youth organisation. Payments for the delivery of the service will be to Contact Youth in respect of sessions delivered in post primary schools.
	£4 million from the Children and Young People's Funding Package was allocated to each of the four Health and Social Services Boards in 2006-07 and they have established nine multi-disciplinary teams to work in schools and other early years settings. In meeting the needs of their populations the boards are employing 15 additional speech and language therapists to work in the teams throughout Northern Ireland and they will work in collaboration with existing services. A further £4 million is available in 2007-08.
	Funding from the CYPFP is not being used to deliver additional educational psychology services.
	Funding allocations beyond March 2008 have not yet been agreed and will be decided at the outcome of the comprehensive spending review 2007, which is currently underway. It is not possible to give a firm commitment to funding for any program beyond 2007-08 until the CSR is completed and baselines are set.

Malone Conservation Area

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to prevent the erosion of the character of the Malone Conservation Area from inappropriate development.

David Cairns: In line with the provisions of the 1991 Planning Order my Department, in discharging its planning functions within the Malone Conservation Area, pays special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing its character or appearance.
	All development proposals are assessed against published regional planning policy, in particular Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 6 'Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage' and PPS 7 'Quality Residential Environments'. These regional policies are supplemented by guidance set out in the Malone Conservation Area Draft Character Appraisal, the contents of which have recently been afforded substantial weight in the decision-making process by an Interim Statement published in August 2006.
	Additional policy for development affecting the Malone area is proposed in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan which is currently the subject of a public inquiry by the Planning Appeals Commission on behalf of my Department.

Delayed Discharges

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were from hospitals in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area in each of the last six months for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The following table shows the number of delayed transfers of care from acute beds at Mid Essex Hospitals Services National Health Service Trust.
	
		
			  Month  Delayed transfers of care 
			 May 8 
			 June 10 
			 July 6 
			 August 21 
			 September 7 
			 October 5 
			  Note: Numbers of delayed transfers of care are collected as a snapshot at midnight Thursday each week. These data are for the final week in each of the last six months.  Source: Department of Health SitReps

Non-UK Nationals (NHS Care)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was invoiced by the NHS to other countries in the European Union for services received by those countries' citizens in the UK in the last financial period for which figures are available, broken down by country; and what payments  (a) have been received and  (b) are still outstanding.

Rosie Winterton: The following table shows, in resource terms, the estimated costs of treatment provided by the national health service to persons insured in other European Economic Area (EEA) member states under the terms of Regulations (EEC) 1408/71 and 574/72, and which the United Kingdom (UK) would reclaim from the states concerned. These are estimated claims in according with existing arrangements under the Regulation 574/72. During 2005-06, the UK settled £56.7 million claims for the treatment provided up to March 2006 by the NHS.
	
		
			  Estimated claims against other EEA member states: 2005-06 
			  Country  £000 
			 Austria 474 
			 Belgium 2,182 
			 France 3,312 
			 Germany 16 
			 Greece 807 
			 Iceland 9 
			 Ireland 20,742 
			 Italy 4,034 
			 Netherlands 1,699 
			 Portugal 3 
			 Spain 815 
			 Sweden 773 
			  Notes: 1. The information is compiled in line with the requirements of Government Accounting 2000 and National Audit Office (NAO) and used for resource accounting and budging purpose during 2005-06. 2. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest thousand. 3. Claims against new member states would be included in future years. 4. We have a waiver arrangement with a number of member states which means they have agreed to bear the costs of each other insured persons.

Waiting Times

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for  (a) routine and  (b) urgent bone scans is in each NHS Trust.

Andy Burnham: The waiting times for bone scans are not available split by routine and urgent tests. The latest figures on waits for DEXA scans are published monthly and the table contains the figures for September 2006.
	
		
			  Waiting times for DEXA scans by NHS trust, September 2006 
			  SHA code  Org code  Org name  Total Waiting  Number waiting over 13 weeks  Number waiting over 26 weeks  Median wait (weeks 
			 Q30 5J8 Durham Dales PCT 30 0 0 2.5 
			 Q30 RE9 South Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust 117 0 0 5.7 
			 Q30 RLN City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust 210 0 0 3.3 
			 Q30 RTD The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust 81 0 0 1.0 
			 Q30 RTF Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust 86 0 0 1.8 
			 Q30 RVW North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 130 8 1 5.6 
			 Q30 RXP NHS Trust 78 0 0 1.2 
			 Q31 RBL Wirral Hospital NHS Trust 271 1 0 4.2 
			 Q31 REM Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust 62 0 0 0.8 
			 Q31 REP Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Trust 444 0 0 5.6 
			 Q31 RNL North Cumbria Acute NHS Trust Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University 498 1 0 4.5 
			 Q31 RQ6 Hospitals NHS Trust 871 290 0 9.7 
			 Q31 RRF Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 85 22 0 6.4 
			 Q31 RTX Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust 312 41 28 3.4 
			 Q31 RVY Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 95 0 0 2.7 
			 Q31 RW6 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 26 0 0 1.5 
			 Q31 RWJ Stockport Health Services NHS Trust 79 2 0 2.6 
			 Q31 RXL Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust 97 2 0 0.6 
			 Q32 RAE Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust 366 13 0 4.4 
			 Q32 RGB York Health Services NHS Trust Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare 41 2 0 1.8 
			 Q32 RCC NHS Trust 157 0 0 6.2 
			 Q32 RCD Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust 123 0 0 3.5 
			 Q32 RCU Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Trust 18 0 0 4.8 
			 Q32 RHQ Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS 1501 45 11 3.7 
			 Q32 RJL Trust 97 0 0 2.4 
			 Q32 RP5 Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust 93 0 0 7.5 
			 Q32 RR8 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 112 0 0 1.7 
			 Q32 RWA Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 172 0 0 2.4 
			 Q32 RWY Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust 58 0 0 2.5 
			 Q33 SAM Mansfield District PCT Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital 56 0 0 2.2 
			 Q33 RFS NHS Trust 246 3 0 4.5 
			 Q33 RNS Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust 31 0 0 1.2 
			 Q33 RTG Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 140 0 0 1.7 
			 Q33 RWD United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 462 163 41 7.8 
			 Q33 RWE University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 145 0 0 2.3 
			 Q33 RX1 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 223 4 2 2.9 
			 Q34 5ME North Stoke PCT 388 6 1 6.2 
			 Q34 RJD Mid-Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust 310 11 0 7.2 
			 Q34 RJF Burton Hospitals NHS Trust 67 4 1 4.8 
			 Q34 RJH Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire 87 0 0 2.9 
			 Q34 RKB NHS Trust Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and 257 2 0 2.1 
			 Q34 RL1 District Hospital NHS Trust 533 1 0 2.4 
			 Q34 RL4 Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust 65 0 0 1.6 
			 Q34 RQ3 Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust Birmingham Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals NHS 8 0 0 n/a 
			 Q34 RR1 Trust 158 16 8 3.7 
			 Q34 RRK University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust 469 0 0 6.5 
			 Q34 RWP Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS 180 1 0 3.3 
			 Q34 RXK Trust 48 6 0 1.7 
			 Q35 RAJ Southend Hospital NHS Trust 144 0 0 2.2 
			 Q35 RC1 Bedford Hospital NHS Trust 227 1 0 7.3 
			 Q35 RC9 Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust 383 122 0 9.2 
			 Q35 RDD Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust 59 0 0 6.6 
			 Q35 RGN Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust 231 3 0 3.7 
			 Q35 RGP James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust 29 0 0 0.8 
			 Q35 RGQ Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation 7 0 0 n/a 
			 Q35 RGT Trust 680 6 0 4.1 
			 Q35 RM1 Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust 307 3 0 2.9 
			 Q35 RQ8 Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 17 1 0 3.0 
			 Q35 RWG West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 27 0 0 3.6 
			 Q35 RWH East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 520 11 0 3.3 
			 Q36 5C5 Newham PCT 28 0 0 3.3 
			 Q36 RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 613 0 0 5.5 
			 Q36 RAN (London) 456 124 34 3.9 
			 Q36 RAX Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 2 0 0 n/a 
			   Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS 
			 Q36 RF4 Trust 369 47 15 3.5 
			 Q36 RG2 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 264 0 0 2.8 
			 Q36 RG3 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 3 0 0 n/a 
			 Q36 RGC Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 313 0 0 3.5 
			 Q36 RJ1 Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust 518 46 0 1.2 
			 Q36 RJ5 St Mary's NHS Trust 103 7 0 7.3 
			 Q36 RJ6 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 720 186 2 8.3 
			 Q36 RJ7 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 354 19 4 6.3 
			 Q36 RNH Newham Healthcare NHS Trust 53 0 0 2.0 
			 Q36 RNJ Barts and the London NHS Trust Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS 314 28 0 6.0 
			 Q36 RP4 Trust 2 0 0 n/a 
			 Q36 RQM Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 97 0 0 1.0 
			 Q36 RQN Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 22 0 0 1.2 
			 Q36 RV8 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 1,990 1,269 442 17.4 
			 Q37 5L9 Western Sussex PCT 50 0 0 1.7 
			 Q37 RDU Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust 159 1 0 1.7 
			 Q37 RN7 Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust 18 0 0 5.5 
			 Q37 RPA Medway NHS Trust 157 1 0 4.9 
			 Q37 RPL Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust 109 5 0 3.5 
			 Q37 RTK Ashford and St Peters' Hospitals NHS Trust 627 9 0 6.0 
			 Q37 RW East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust 348 0 0 2.6 
			 Q37 RWF Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust 165 9 0 2.1 
			 Q38 RBF Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS 176 5 0 1.9 
			 Q38 RD7 Trust 31 0 0 1.5 
			 Q38 RHM Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 403 0 0 3.0 
			 Q38 RHU Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 246 0 0 3.4 
			 Q38 RHW Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital NHS Trust 151 14 0 5.7 
			 Q38 RN1 Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 45 0 0 2.3 
			 Q38 RXQ Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust 277 60 1 7.7 
			 Q39 RA7 United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust 310 75 7 7.3 
			 Q39 RA9 South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust 80 0 0 3.1 
			 Q39 RBA Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases 203 0 0 2.3 
			 Q39 RBB NHS Trust 220 11 0 4.2 
			   Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals 
			 Q39 RDZ NHS Trust 311 0 0 2.7 
			 Q39 REF Royal Cornwall Hospital NHS Trust 1,642 1,438 1,243 52.0 
			 Q39 RH8 Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust 190 3 0 1.7 
			 Q39 RK9 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 209 2 0 4.5 
			 Q39 RN3 Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust 43 0 0 1.4 
			 Q39 RTE Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust 109 0 0 3.5 
			  Note: Median waits not calculated where waiting list is less than 10.  Source:  DM01

Waiting Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people were waiting for  (a) in-hospital treatment and  (b) out patient appointments in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area in each of the last six months for which figures are available.;
	(2)  how many people had been waiting  (a) more than six months for in hospital treatment and  (b) more than 13 weeks for an out patient appointment in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area in each of the last six months for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: The table shows the number of patients waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment and more than 13 weeks for outpatient appointments at Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust. The table also shows the total number of patients waiting for inpatient and out-patient treatment at the trust.
	
		
			  Inpatient and Outpatient waiting list figures for Mid Essex Hospitals National Health Service Trust 
			  Month  Total inpatient waiting list  Number waiting over 26 weeks (6 months)  Total outpatient waiting list  Number waiting over 13 weeks 
			 April 06 6,649 0 7,314 0 
			 May 06 6,213 0 9,595 0 
			 June 06 6,744 0 9,419 0 
			 July 06 6,504 0 10,013 0 
			 August 06 6,552 0 9,678 0 
			 September 06 6,797 0 8,929 0 
			  Source: Departmental waiting times stats